Planning a family ski trip this winter? Six Washington ski areas have landed on a national list of destinations offering affordable skiing and good value for the 2026–27 season.
For its recently released Ski Season Report, vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo evaluated 100 U.S. ski resorts. Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park earned Washington’s highest marks, ranking second nationwide for affordability and 22nd for overall value. Mount Baker Ski Area also made it into the top 25 in terms of affordability.
The report comes as families in Washington and across the country grapple with high food, gas, and other basic living costs, including vacation costs. In a separate HomeToGo survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, 52% identified price as a top consideration when choosing a vacation destination.
Rankings are out of 100 ski areas evaluated by HomeToGo.
Nonprofit ski area equals affordability
Mount Spokane was the state’s standout for affordability, with an estimated combined daily cost of $139.53 per person. That includes $47.53 for one night’s lodging and $92 for an adult lift ticket (lift tickets for kids ages 7 to 17 at Mount Spokane are $59 on weekdays and $69 on weekends; kids age 6 and under ride free).
The nonprofit ski area, located in Mount Spokane State Park near Spokane, offers more than 1,700 acres of terrain, over 50 runs and night skiing. It ranked among the country’s two most affordable destinations for the second consecutive yea
Closer to Seattle, The Summit at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass also made the list, with The Summing showing up in the middle of the pack at #49 and Stevens nearer the end of the best value rankings in 74th place.
At The Summit, lift tickets for kids ages 6 and under start around $34; tickets for kids ages 7–12 cost $58–$77, and adult tickets run $96-$107. At Stevens, base pricing for adult lift tickets starts at $114, although dynamic pricing is available; tickets for kids ages 7–12 start at around $80/day—children 6 and under ski free.
How were the ski areas ranked?
HomeToGo used two different measures to compare destinations.
Most affordable: This ranking adds the median cost of one night’s vacation lodging per person to the price of a standard, full-day adult lift ticket. The lower the combined cost, the higher the resort ranks.
Best value: This ranking considers three factors: lodging prices, lift ticket costs, and the number of miles of ski slopes. Each receives a score from 5 to 10, producing a possible total of 30 points. Resorts with more terrain and lower prices score better.
HomeToGo selected resorts in the contiguous United States with available accommodation pricing and enough varied terrain to appeal to travelers planning a ski vacation. HomeToGo estimates lodging costs from its vacation rental listings, while it collected lift prices from resort websites in October.
When resorts required a specific date for ticket prices, researchers used January 9, 2027. In some cases, they relied on published general rates or prices from the previous season.
No, survey doesn’t cover full price of a family ski vacation
The rankings offer a starting point for comparing ski destinations, but they don’t calculate the full cost of taking children skiing.
HomeToGo’s estimates use adult lift ticket prices and per-person lodging costs. They don’t account for children’s tickets, lessons, equipment rentals, transportation, meals or other expenses.
The report also doesn’t evaluate ski schools, beginner terrain, childcare, or other amenities that can make a mountain more appealing to families.
Ticket prices may change throughout the season, particularly at resorts using dynamic pricing. Families should compare current rates, children’s discounts and lesson packages before choosing a destination.
Overall rankings
Pondering a ski trip outside of Washington? Here are the overall top 10 HomeToGo rankings for affordability and best value:
Way more than 100 ski areas
HomeToGo’s 2026–27 report ranked 100 U.S. ski destinations, which means it covers only a portion of the country’s ski areas—not every resort. According to recent counts from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), the country has roughly 480 operating ski areas, including everything from small community ski hills to major destination resorts.
See the complete HomeToGo 2026–27 Ski Season Report, including its national rankings and methodology.
